Hyundai To be Global No.4 Car Manufacturer

With Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group’s global sales reaching 5.7 million cars this year, attention is turning to whether it will overtake the Renault-Nissan alliance to become the world’s fourth largest carmaker. Hyundai ranked fifth last year, with Toyota on top followed by GM, Volkswagen, and Renault-Nissan. Hyundai sold 3.30 million cars worldwide from January through November this year and Kia 1.91 million, for a combined total of 5.22 million. The figure is an increase of 23 percent compared to last year, which is the highest growth rate in the industry.
The company’s sales goal for next year is 6.4 million, up 12 percent from this year’s figure. According to consulting firm IHS Global Insight, global demand for vehicles is expected to increase 7 percent from 70 million this year to 75 million next year.